Hansel burst into the room his parents were in.

"We heard everything, you can't abandon us," Hansel protested.

"Well, seems like someone was snooping around," the woman said. "I guess now that you know, there is no reason to abandon you in the woods."

The woman grabbed Hansel and Gretel and dragged them screaming outside. She took them to the woodshed where the woodcutter kept all the firewood. The night was alive with the sounds of children crying in terror. A few moments after they went into the woodshed the noise died down substantially. A minute later and silence once again returned to the night. The woodcutter sobbed all the while listening.

Well, at least now he won't starve for sure. He may have to do some spring cleaning in his shed, however.